Michelle delves into twin heroines, BDSM and a corset contest

Michelle delves into twin heroines, BDSM and a corset contest

Join me every week as I share a few shout-outs on romance author goings-on, related events and recommended reads.

Readers’ fave elements in romance books

Throughout September, I’m connecting you with romance readers’ fave elements that capture their hearts and authors who have the magic touch.

Yahrah St. John, author of Entangled Hearts, on heroines …

Yahrah showcases twin heroines who have lived very separate lives with different expectations. Their past hurts and disappointments have shaped their goals and desires in life. In this burgeoning romance story, each sister is shown in her own world and then, after the switcheroo, each has to play the role of a lifetime with a great deal of empathy and understanding resulting from the experience.

Here’s the blurb:

One face…two hearts entangled…

As America’s favorite singer, Chynna James has it all, beauty, fame and wealth, but being in the spotlight is not all it’s cracked up to be. Chynna feels like she’s missing out on life and wants to break free. A chance encounter with sexy, widowed rancher Noah Hart has Chynna singing a new love song.

Living in her twin’s shadow has been a way of life for down-to-earth actress Kenya James, but when Chynna’s mishaps land her in hot water with the press, Kenya steps in to bail her out. The twins concoct a scheme to trade places, allowing Kenya to take center stage. But Kenya gets more than she bargained for when she tangles with Lucas Kingston, the attractive owner of Chynna’s record label. Little does she know that his business partner just might be on to her.

Note: The story is a teaser, of sorts, that ends at the brink of full immersion into lots of drama. Hopefully, the follow-up is soon to come.

A: Wrapped Up: A Corseted Event with Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines is a one-day event on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to launch the releases of our upcoming contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance novels, Licorice Whips and Red Hots. Readers who attend the event will get our books before they are released anywhere.

We wanted an event that incorporated our readers, our books, and BDSM. It was important that we have an expert at the event. We are extremely fortunate to have author and BDSM Domme Mistress Dama de Noche, who will not only show off some BDSM implements, she’ll demonstrate how to use them.

During the event, we will have book readings, games, lunch, and a corset contest. Attendees who arrive in the best or most creative corset will win an amazing gift basket full of books, gift cards and a Kindle.

Q: Is this the first time that you’ve partnered up for such an event?

A: We’ve done group book signings together before. Last year when Yvette did her Day With Yvette Hines event in Virginia Beach, she did invite a few of her author friends, including Bridget, to participate in some games and meet with her readers.

Q: How did you come up with the idea?

A: We were both with a publisher called Whispers Publishing. Our publisher proposed a themed anthology with a candy store as the setting. When Aliyah Burke, an author who had done three other anthologies with us, bowed out due to other publishing demands, we decided to make it a two-author anthology with a BDSM theme. As we started working on our stories, the unthinkable happened: Our publisher decided to shut down, leaving our stories without a home.

The idea for Licorice Whips really felt more like a full-length story than a novella. So Bridget pitched the idea to Yvette that we lengthen our stories to novels, and release them at an in-person event. We continued with the candy theme and linked the stories by having brothers co-own the store. Yvette came up with the idea of wearing corsets and having a corset contest during the event. Bridget has known Mistress Dama de Noche for more than 10 years. As soon as she gave the thumbs up that she would be able to participate in this event, we started setting up the venue, arranging the hotel rooms and, most important, work on our novels.

Q: What are some of the highlights that folks can look forward to?

A: Aside from our book readings, we’re looking forward to see what Mistress Dama is going to bring and do during the event. Every time we’re around her, we’re inspired to write another story, or we learn something new. She really gets into the psychology behind the BDSM play. It’s not all about throwing a whip. It’s how that person feels when it touches them and how she feels when they react. We hope that the attendees get enlightened on what a real BDSM relationship is like and how real play is done. We’re also looking forward to seeing just who shows up in a corset and what they’ll look like.

Q: Will you be wearing a corset? Are attendees in costume?

A: We will be in corsets. Bridget has found one she liked online and just received it. But to see it, you’ll have to come to the event. Attendees do not need to show up in costume. If they want to participate in the corset contest, of course, they’ll need to arrive in their corset. Otherwise, it’ll be a fun event.

Q: What if you don’t have anyone to accompany you? You’re shy but really want to be there?

“Red Hots” by Yvette Hines. (Photo: Yvette Hines)

A: The space we have to do this event will be intimate. We had to limit the number of attendees who can be there. When people register, we asked that if they want to bring anyone with them, that the other person must register as well so that we have an accurate head count. However, if an attendee arrives alone, we promise that no one will feel alone by the end of the day. We’re all going to be there to have a great time. We hope attendees leave with some knowledge, great memories, and some cool reads.

Q: What’s your personal motto for the night?

A: Personal motto? Hmm, Yvette had a good one. “Have a spanking good time.”

Q: Share some info about the books you’ll feature/sell?

A: With each registration, all attendees will receive in their bags a copy of Bridget’s Licorice Whips and Yvette’s Red Hots. Both books are contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance, and the books are a part of our Decadent series with Yvette’s book being the first in the series and Bridget’s book completing the series.

Here’s the info about Licorice Whips:

“Sweet” Hawkes is a BDSM dominant who has lost his smile. Although he loves the candy store called Decadent Treats that he co-owns with his brother, he’s lost the passion he had for making treats for his customers.

After releasing his last submissive, Sweet decides to dive head first into business and forget about love and disciplining. He wants to open up a second Decadent Treats and a store that would sell quality BDSM toys and apparel. Sweet never expects to find an obstacle outside his door.

Nikla Dearwood has made it her mission to picket outside of the Decadent Treats store to warn customers about eating too much sugar. Although as a Pilates and yoga instructor, it would seem as though her protests have to do with leading a healthy lifestyle, Nikla has other motives. Besides this protest, she wants to open up her own exercise studio in downtown Virginia Beach.

Nikla isn’t scared away from her picketing mission when a tall and sexy man from Decadent Treats tries to get her to stop. When she finds that same guy checking out an open storefront in downtown Virginia Beach that she also wants, she’s now interested in him.

The two check out each other’s businesses. Sweet subjects himself to a yoga class. When Nikla goes to Sweet’s candy store, she finds that the man has a different way of tempting her with candy. When things get out of hand in the store, the two make a deal: They’ll agree to play and have sex until a decision on the suites is made. After that, they agree to go their separate ways.

When Nikla starts to have feelings for Sweet, can she give up the fight for this man? Can Sweet open his heart enough to let the right woman in?

Here’s the info about Red Hots:

Masaun Hawkes is a driven man, a go-getter who has always enjoyed spicy/sweet candy and fiery women. Five years ago, his life was moving in the fast lane and he needed a change. Deciding to go into business with his younger brother, his life has become more manageable and stable. Co-owner of Decadent Treats by day and a full-time Dom and trainer at night, he should have everything he needs. Almost. Evenings at The Dollhouse dungeon have become emptier as he finds himself instructing new submissives, none his own. However, things are starting to look up when he delivers a special candy bouquet to the most captivating and tenacious woman. Masaun has never played second fiddle to anything in his life and he refuses to let Kindle put their relationship in that place — out of fear.

Kindle Langston’s life is anything but poetic. As the leading Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with too many high-profile cases on her desk, she can’t even manage the time to fantasize about letting it all go. Stress and free are not two words that go together in her book, but each trial is pushing her closer to the edge. The day a basketful of treats is delivered by the sexiest and most compelling man, “Dom Hawk,” with a note commanding her into a clandestine world, things begin to change. Is the life of a submissive what she has been craving? Can she risk allowing such decadent desires to be fulfilled? The risk seems too great to give in.

For the first time in their lives can they both fully commit for love?

Michelle: The event and the books sound fab!

A: We cannot wait to host this event. We find it hard to believe it’s only a month away. We hope that readers truly enjoy our work and will have a wonderful time at our event. If readers want to know more about us or the event, they can go on our websites: www.bridgetmidway.com and yvettehines.com.

Michelle Monkou celebrates her recent Kimani release, Passionate Game, available at major retailers and online. Her website is MichelleMonkou.blogspot.com.